Type 1 and type 2 diabetes at the same time

Type 1 and type 2 diabetes at the same time

Type 1 diabetics can also become insulin-resistant. In type 1, insulin-dependent diabetes, the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, but cells still protect themselves from a flood of blood sugar when blood sugar levels go above about 170 mg/dl (approximately 9.0 mM, if you use the European system). This means the type 1 diabetic has to inject more and more insulin to get the same effect--and this is why type 1 diabetics need to be very careful to monitor blood sugar levels when they use insulin pumps.

The user of an insulin pump can "dial up" the insulin dosage when blood sugar levels are running too high, but the diabetic won't know to do that without taking blood sugar readings. Using an insulin pump "on automatic" is a sure way to lose control over blood sugar levels, and the major reason some diabetics have to have their pumps removed.

Are you a good candidate for an insulin pump?

The big advantage of insulin over absolutely every other diabetes medication is that it always lowers blood sugar levels. The timing and dosage of insulin have to be worked out, but absolutely every diabetic responds to insulin with lower blood sugar levels--assuming of course, they eat the same foods, their digestive tracts process the food at the same right, they have the same level of physical activity, they are not experiencing infection or inflammation, and are taking the same dosages of other medications that are being metabolized at the same rate in the liver because they are not being exposed to liver-toxic substances from food or the environment.

And that's the basic problem with insulin pumps. Insulin pumps deliver the same dosage of insulin all the time. The body does not necessarily need the same dosage of insulin all the time. And if you are a type 2 diabetic cutting calories to lose weight, you'll need to turn down your insulin pump to keep from experiencing the low blood sugar levels that can cause you to (1) pass out or (2) experience uncontrollable appetite. Unless it is used smartly, an insulin pump can make improving your basic health quite difficult.